Re: Eye to Eye on GSUSA cookie sales
Joanne C. Vogel (VOGELJC@SLUVCA.SLU.EDU)
Sat, 29 Jan 1994 16:37:57 -0600
Sara Crawley writes:
>What are the reactions to the Eye to Eye piece?
>I was disappointed with the fact that they didn't interview any leaders with
>positive experiences. The council that I am in has done a good job of
>explaining how the money is used....(rest deleted)
Well, I was also disappointed that only discontented leaders were
interviewed. I think all of us, at one time or another, have
probably experienced frustration with our organization's policies
or paid staff. All of us, paid and volunteer, could undoubtedly
benefit from exchanging places for awhile!
The "Eye to Eye" piece bothered me on several levels, though:
1. I really have to wonder if the Connecticut council truly understood
where the reporter was going with the story? I think the council
could have done a better job of explaining how they use their
cookie money. Perhaps they did and the editors deleted it.
2. Annual dues ($6.00 per person) to GSUSA covers insurance,
mailings, general publications, etc. The story implied that the
money was only paying for lavish offices.
3. Yes, the troop bonus is only about 13% of the cookie price,
but the girls do receive "cookie incentives" (prizes) based on
individual sales. These include calculators, t-shirts or
sweatshirts, stuffed animals, sport bottles,etc. In our council,
the girls at our day camps vote on possible prizes, so the
incentives are what the kids want.
4. Cookie money usually supports financial aid programs for
girls. Girls needing help can apply for help to attend camp
and/or specific events.
5. Troops usually charge dues. If leaders are spending
tremendous amounts of their own money, then they need to evaluate
their activities/program to see if the dues are enough to cover
expenses.
6. The Girl Scouts are really just starting to benefit from
increased corporate support. In many ways, we have not been as
fortunate as BSA in courting corporate America. Also, our council
receives far less in United Way funds than do the Boy Scouts, but
my sister (a United Way V.P.) assures me that we are not being
discriminated against. <I won't even continue on this one!!!>
I guess I don't feel that the "Eye to Eye" piece gave a true
picture of the Girl Scouts and their cookies. People are going to
be left with the idea that this organization is running itself by
deliberately exploiting children who are not getting anything for
their efforts. I also felt the "Cookie Marketeer" program was
misrepresented. If it is like ours used to be, it stressed
safety, good manners, and accountability.
Hopefully, there will be some good that comes from all this.
Sorry to be so long-winded!
Joanne
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Joanne C. Vogel
Leader, etc.
Girl Scout Council of Greater St. Louis
Bitnet: VOGELJC@SLUVCA (St. Louis University Law Library)
Internet: vogeljc@sluvca.slu.edu
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